Senior Network Engineer

Senior Network Engineer
Overview

Share is building Africa's next-generation ISP from the ground up - a fully automated, software-defined, white-box network that fuses fiber, wireless, and intelligent routing into a single, unified system.

We're looking for a Senior Network Engineer based in Kenya who will architect and deploy greenfield ISP infrastructure across multiple markets. This isn't maintenance work - you'll design BGP routing policies, build metro fiber rings, select and deploy white-box hardware, and implement SDN control planes from scratch. Every decision you make will shape how millions connect to the internet.

This is a once-in-a-career opportunity for engineers who've mastered the fundamentals and want to apply them at scale, unrestricted by legacy architecture or vendor lock-in. You'll have a large responsibility in defining what ISPs will look like in 2030.

Key Responsibilities
Network Architecture & Design

• Design multi-PoP carrier-grade network architecture with full redundancy, including BGP routing policies, MPLS label switching, and segment routing strategies
• Architect metro fiber deployments (Active Ethernet, GPON, XGS-PON) and aggregation layer topology connecting access to core
• Develop traffic engineering strategies across hybrid fiber-wireless infrastructure, optimizing for latency, capacity, and cost
• Design IP addressing schemes (IPv4/IPv6), AS number allocation, and route aggregation strategies for scalable growth
• Create peering strategies for IXP participation, content provider relationships, and transit procurement optimization

Greenfield Network Deployment

• Deploy and commission core routing infrastructure in new markets from physical installation through production cutover
• Build out disaggregated white-box switching environments (Edgecore, UfiSpace, Dell) running OcNOS, SONiC, or FRR
• Establish BGP peering sessions with transit providers, IXPs, and content networks, implementing route filtering and policy controls
• Configure network services including CGNAT, DHCP, advanced QoS, IPAM systems, and RADIUS/AAA authentication
• Integrate fixed wireless (PtP, PtMP, 60 GHz) with fiber backbone for resilient multi-access infrastructure

SDN & Network Programmability

• Implement SDN control plane architecture using platforms like ONOS, OpenDaylight, or custom-built control systems
• Build network automation frameworks (Ansible, Terraform, Python) for configuration management, provisioning, and zero-touch deployment
• Develop RESTCONF/NETCONF integrations enabling programmatic network control and real-time topology discovery
• Create infrastructure-as-code pipelines that enable rapid partner ISP onboarding across Share's federated model
• Design telemetry collection architecture feeding real-time network state into AI-driven analytics platforms

AI-Powered Network Operations

• Collaborate with AI/ML teams to deploy predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and capacity forecasting models
• Integrate AI-driven insights into operational workflows, enabling intent-based routing and self-optimizing networks
• Build closed-loop automation where the network detects issues, evaluates solutions, and executes remediation autonomously
• Develop observability architecture from CPE to core that feeds machine learning models with high-fidelity data

Performance Optimization & Troubleshooting

• Conduct deep packet analysis, latency studies, and capacity modeling to optimize network performance
• Lead root cause analysis on complex routing issues, convergence problems, and traffic engineering challenges
• Perform BGP route propagation analysis, AS-path optimization, and peering relationship troubleshooting
• Optimize network for real-world African market conditions: power constraints, limited backhaul, cost sensitivity

Strategic Technical Leadership

• Evaluate and select vendors, hardware platforms, and software solutions for multi-million dollar deployments
• Create technical documentation, design specifications, and operational runbooks for production systems
• Mentor junior engineers and field technicians on advanced networking concepts and troubleshooting methodologies
• Represent Share in technical discussions with upstream providers, IXPs, and peering partners

Qualifications
Must Have

• 7+ years hands-on experience in ISP/carrier network engineering roles
• Expert-level knowledge of BGP (route selection, policy configuration, communities, traffic engineering)
• Deep understanding of MPLS, OSPF, IS-IS, and modern routing protocols including segment routing
• Proven experience deploying fiber access networks (GPON, Active Ethernet) and aggregation infrastructure
• Strong background in IP addressing, subnetting, route aggregation, and multi-homing architectures
• Hands-on experience with Linux-based network operating systems and white-box switching/routing platforms
• Proficiency in network automation using Python, Ansible, or similar tools
• Experience with network monitoring, telemetry, and observability platforms

Highly Desirable

• CCIE Service Provider or JNCIE-SP certification

(or equivalent demonstrated expertise)
- Experience with disaggregated networking (SONiC, OcNOS, FRR, DENT) in production environments
- Background deploying SDN architectures and programmable network control planes
- Familiarity with AI/ML integration in network operations and closed-loop automation
- Experience operating networks in emerging markets with infrastructure and power constraints
- Knowledge of open networking standards (OpenConfig, gNMI, P4) and white-box hardware ecosystems
- Prior work with IXP operations, peering coordination, and multi-lateral peering agreements

Nice to Have

• Contributions to open-source networking projects (FRR, SONiC, ONOS, etc.)
• Experience with containerized network functions and cloud-native networking
• Background in wireless backhaul design (PtP, PtMP) and hybrid access architectures
• Familiarity with submarine cable systems and international capacity procurement
• Understanding of ISP business models, wholesale pricing, and revenue-sharing economics

What We Offer

• Greenfield architecture autonomy - Design and build ISP infrastructure from scratch with no legacy constraints
• Cutting-edge technology stack - Work with white-box, SDN, and AI-driven networking used by global hyperscalers, but applied to ISP challenges
• Direct impact at scale - Your designs will connect millions across Africa
• Competitive compensation and equity in a venture-backed company building critical internet infrastructure
• Private health and wellness benefits
• Career acceleration - Compress 10 years of learning into 2 by building everything from the ground up
• High-autonomy environment where you'll own architecture decisions, vendor selection, and technical strategy
• Work alongside world-class engineers solving hard problems in challenging markets